You always want to feel like things are getting better, but they’re not. Homelessness is increasing,” says Adam Robinson, CEO and founder of StreetSmart, a not-for-profit organisation supporting frontline initiatives for Australia’s homeless.
In its 17 years of operation, DineSmart, StreetSmart’s annual month-long campaign of fundraising in collaboration with restaurants around the country, has provided over five-and-a-half million dollars to almost 2000 individual projects run by 615 grassroots organisations.
But in those 17 years, homelessness in Australia has worsened. Between 2011 and 2016 (the most recent census), homelessness increased by 13 per cent. In New South Wales alone it increased by 37 per cent.
“We’re not properly funding services, we’re not properly funding housing,” says Robinson. “I think as a community we haven’t prioritised solving these issues. We seem to be sitting back and thinking it’s okay, but where’s our national emergency when we’ve got over 100,000 people that haven’t got housing?”
Homelessness does not come down to a single issue. It’s made up of countless complex issues, which is why it needs a multifaceted approach. It’s not just about fighting for long-term policy change to create more affordable and accessible housing; groups on the ground are working to provide immediate support, including mobile showers, public barbeques and community sports events. This is where DineSmart can help.
From November 21 to December 31 this year, over 100 restaurants around the country will add an opt-out small donation to each bill, which will go directly to DineSmart-supported local projects.
Over the years Robinson has built a network of people in the sector working to fill the gaps in addressing the broad issue of homelessness.
“The whole reason for starting [DineSmart] up was to get funding to these smaller grassroots homelessness services, and that’s still the reason we get up every day,” he says. “These smaller services really struggle for government funding and the public’s funding, and that challenge still remains 17 years on.”
One initiative that Robinson has seen blossom is social enterprise fashion label Homie (Homelessness of Melbourne Incorporated Enterprise), which donates 100 per cent of its profits to providing employment and training for young people affected by homelessness. Since DineSmart gave Homie its first $1000, the brand has expanded from a pop-up shop to a flagship retail store in Fitzroy, Melbourne.
“We don’t distribute a huge amount of money each year, but what we can do, if we’re smart about it, is hit those key areas,” says Robinson.
But the money donated is just one part of the story. By connecting with hospitality venues and diners, DineSmart has started thousands of conversations.
Melbourne CBD restaurant Supernormal only joined DineSmart in 2018, but became one of the country’s top fundraisers after diners donated $14,000 in one month. The proceeds went to endeavours such as Youth Projects – located “literally around the corner”, on Hosier Lane – which helps at-risk youth access employment and assistance.
“To be able to show where the money goes is a way to help people believe in it,” says Tasha Forgan, Supernormal restaurant manager.
For her team, DineSmart became a powerful tool of connection with diners at the restaurant’s busiest time of year.
“The staff got behind it so much,” she says. “It’s a really nice way to engage with your guests and your staff, and a way to refocus on how lucky we are to be working in this job.”
Before the campaign kicked off, StreetSmart came in for an initial training session on how staff could involve customers in conversations about homelessness. Then, when it wrapped up, they showed the team exactly what impact their funds had made locally.
In 17 years, Robinson says the biggest attitude shift towards tackling the issue has come from hospitality business owners and employees.
“Early on it was really about having to convince owners that there was a good business case for joining onto these kinds of campaigns,” he says. “Businesses understand the value now. And particularly the younger [staff members] are looking to work for companies that have a responsible outlook.”
In the industry’s busiest month, taking the time to have that extra conversation with guests can be taxing, but those few minutes, those few dollars, can all lead to real change.
“If Supernormal can do it, and some of the other busy cafes and restaurants can do it, then most people should be able to give it a shot,” says Forgan.
And don’t forget to tip your incredibly hardworking server, too.
Broadsheet is a proud media partner of StreetSmart.
